Depression

Among young adults, stress from election news was linked to higher risks of depression and anxiety, while pre-election anticipatory stress was linked to depression only. Stress about the election outcome was not associated with either condition.

A large American survey finds that adults who have sex fewer than a dozen times a year die sooner when extra abdominal fat coincides with depression, hinting that mood and body shape can combine in a dangerous feedback loop.

New research shows a single low, non-anesthetic dose of ketamine revived pleasure seeking in chronically stressed mice by restoring weakened excitatory synapses onto nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 neurons, pinpointing a circuit mechanism for the drug’s rapid antidepressant effect.

Researchers have identified metabolic differences in the brains of young adults with depression who also experience cognitive impairment. The study sheds light on how chemical imbalances in key brain regions may contribute to thinking and memory problems in depression.

Researchers found that young people in Hong Kong who regularly skip breakfast reported more depressive symptoms and lower attention control. The findings point to a subtle link between morning habits and emotional well-being.

New findings reveal that depression is linked to both greater social hardship and increased frailty. People with depression were significantly more likely to report unmet basic needs and physical vulnerability, suggesting a complex relationship between social conditions and mental health.

In people with major depression, subjective feelings of cognitive dysfunction—rather than performance on cognitive tests—strongly predicted emotional symptoms and social functioning. The findings suggest that what patients think about their own thinking may be key to long-term recovery.

A new study finds that the longer people take antidepressants, the more likely they are to face severe, long-lasting withdrawal symptoms—raising questions about current prescribing practices and the support available for those trying to stop the medication.

A new study shows that even mild criticism from loved ones can increase the risk of depression in older adults. The findings suggest that reducing negativity in close relationships may protect mental health in later life—especially for women.

A new study suggests that intermittent fasting may reduce symptoms of depression by activating dopamine D1 receptors in the brain’s prefrontal cortex. The findings point to a potential non-drug approach for mood disorders rooted in brain signaling.

A new meta-analysis suggests that people with major depressive disorder have lower levels of the brain antioxidant glutathione in the occipital cortex. The findings highlight a possible role for oxidative stress in depression and point to potential treatment targets.

Lower diversity in the oral microbiome was linked to higher depressive symptoms in a large U.S. sample, with especially strong associations among men and non-Hispanic Whites. Differences in microbial composition were also observed between depressed and non-depressed individuals.

A new study finds that teens exposed to stronger heatwaves are more likely to experience mental health symptoms, raising concerns about the psychological impact of climate change on youth.

Dark traits like narcissism and psychopathy are often associated with dysfunction, but new findings reveal that certain facets—especially Machiavellian agency—might help people manage stress and depression more effectively through adaptive coping strategies.

Low-carb diets rich in healthy fats and plant proteins are linked to fewer depression symptoms, according to new research. But low-carb diets high in saturated fat and animal protein show no mental health advantage.